Dude, Where's My Country?

by Michael Francis Moore

book data

2,746 ratings, 3.34 average rating, 172 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		11%
4		30%
3		40%
2		13%
1		3%

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published

October 7th 2003 by Grand Central Publishing (first published 2003)

details

ebook

setting

Auburn (United States)

isbn

0759508070 (isbn13: 9780759508071)

description

The people of the United States, according to author and filmmaker Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine, Stupid White Men), have been hoodwinked. Tric…more

[close] The people of the United States, according to author and filmmaker Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine, Stupid White Men), have been hoodwinked. Tricked, he says, by Republican lawmakers and their wealthy corporate pals who use a combination of concocted bogeymen and lies to stay rich and in control. But while plenty of liberal scholars, entertainers, and pundits have made similar arguments in book form, Moore's Dude, Where's My Country? stands out for its thoroughly positive perspective. Granted, Moore is angry and has harsh words for George W. Bush and his fellow conservatives concerning the reasoning behind going to war in Iraq, the collapse of Enron and other companies, and the relationship between the Bushes, the Saudi Arabian government, and Osama bin Laden. But his book is intended to serve as a handbook for how people with liberal opinions (which is most of America, Moore contends, whether they call themselves "liberals" or not) can take back their country from the conservative forces in power. Moore uses his trademark brand of confrontational, exasperated humor skillfully as he offers a primer on how to change the worldview of one's annoying conservative blowhard brother-in-law, and he crafts a surprisingly thorough "Draft Oprah for President" movement. Refreshingly, Dude, Where's My Country? avoids being completely one-sided, offering up areas where Moore believes Republicans get it right as well as some cutting criticisms of his fellow lefties. Such allowances, brief though they may be, make one long for a political climate where the shouting polemicists on both sides would see a few more shades of gray. Dude, Where's My Country? is a little bit scattered, as Moore tries to cram opinions on Iraq, tax cuts, corporate welfare, Wesley Clark, and the Patriot Act into one slim volume--and the penchant to go for a laugh sometimes gets in the way of clear arguments. But such variety also gives the reader more Moore, providing a broader range of his bewildered, enraged, yet stalwartly upbeat point of view. --John Moe [close]

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Jun 05, 2007

Eric rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

The older I get, the more disenchanted I become with Michael Moore. I don't consider myself a conservative by any stretch of the imagination, but his kind of activism is indicative of what's wrong with a lot of liberal activism- narcissism. He's so absorbed with his own righteousness -and the fact that so many people in his audience with reinforce his righteousness with blind praise and little analysis- that the causes he supposedly stands for are beside the point. Some might say this is giving ...more

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Jun 29, 2008

Viraj rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in June, 2008

This book is overall anti-Bush, anti-republican. The author’s tone is of sarcasm and is towards getting some laughs; however, it defeats the purpose. It is probably ok to have the tone while making a point in a video, as is seen in his movie Sicko; however, had this book been better written, a thorough study of the subject indicated by the non-standard format bibliography / reference, would have been more effective. Independent of whether I agree or not with the thoughts, the book is bad to...more

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Jul 24, 2007

Anthony rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

bookshelves: political

Read in September, 2004

recommends it for: Those suffering from BDS

This was the beginning of the end with my love affair with the left. Typical angry Moore makes some good points, but Moore doesn't think about the long-term consequences of his ideas. I can respect that Moore doesn't like corporations or conservatives or George W. Bush, but he really needs to reconsider how he attacks the other side, saying that someone is only a conservative because they wants lower taxes cheapens the ideas of conservative thought that have contributed to Moore's ability to w...more

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Apr 05, 2009

Adam rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

bookshelves: current-events, non-fiction

Read in April, 2009

Don't waste your time.

While I would certainly identify my self as not only a Democrat but a huge 'anti-fan' (as they say here in Korea) of George-Dub, I found this book incredibly irritating.

Though well intentioned (meaning, I'm going to try to reveal Bush and his cronies for what they are), the book is simply irritating to read! Moore cannot get over his own biases and while he presents a great deal of well researched facts, he is clearly on a one sided agenda.

...more

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Jun 11, 2007

-uht! rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

bookshelves: politics

Read in January, 2006

I like Michael Moore's writing more than his documentaries. He's got a relaxed, fun style with a surprising amount of depth beneath it. The book is a bit reactionary in parts (moreso than Stupid White Men), but it was an enjoyable read and well documented and researched.

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Apr 27, 2009

Michelle rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in July, 2005

There was little in this that I wasn't already aware of through Moore's film (Farenheit 911) or through my own reading. Moore's work can be a struggle at times, what he wants to say is interesting and definitely something that needs to be out in the public sphere, but he can get carried away with himself and sometimes the point can become slightly lost in his writing. I skimmed over the last chapter mainly because I'm not American and Bush Jr was re-elected. But there were some interesting point...more

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Dec 12, 2008

Reinhold rated it:

(review of isbn 3492046142)

bookshelves: non-fiction

Read in December, 2003

Deutlich besser als "Stupid White Men"

Mit diesem Werk legt nun Moore alles ab, was ich an "Stupid White Men" zu kritisieren hatte. Dort habe ich bemäkelt, dass es klischeehaft sei, dass es die Realität vereinfache und mittels Verallgemeinerungen Vorurteile schüren würde. Alle diese Schwächen finden sich hier nun nicht mehr. Weiters hat Moore ganz offensichtlich seine Recherche verbessert. Ein weiterer Kritikpunkt wurde ebenfalls erledigt: Der größte Teil d...more Deutlich besser als "Stupid White Men"

Mit diesem Werk legt nun Moore alles ab, was ich an "Stupid White Men" zu kritisieren hatte. Dort habe ich bemäkelt, dass es klischeehaft sei, dass es die Realität vereinfache und mittels Verallgemeinerungen Vorurteile schüren würde. Alle diese Schwächen finden sich hier nun nicht mehr. Weiters hat Moore ganz offensichtlich seine Recherche verbessert. Ein weiterer Kritikpunkt wurde ebenfalls erledigt: Der größte Teil dieses Buches richtet sich nicht bloß an US-Amerikaner, sondern ist für den politisch interessierten Europäer durchaus relevant.

Hatte ich "Stupid White Men" noch zu gute gehalten, dass es witzig geschrieben ist - so muss man nun sagen, dass genau dies Michael Moore hier noch um ein vielfaches besser gelingt. Mit viel Sarkasmus - aber auch durchaus satirisch - geht er auf viele Probleme des aktuellen US-Amerika ein. Die Darstellung, das Buch wäre eine Abrechnung mit George W. Bush, ist viel zu einfach - Moore hat hier eine bittere Kritik am aktuellen US-Amerika geschaffen. Dennoch bleibt immer erkennbar, dass er für dieses Land steht, es ist eben kein Buch, das antiamerikanisch ist - und das ist gut so. Vieles stimmt nicht mit diesem Land, dennoch ist es nicht das Feindbild, das so mancher darin gerne sehen möchten. Ganz im Gegenteil, sollte uns das vorliegende Werk zum Nachdenken auch über unsere Gesellschaft verleiten.

Inhaltlich beschäftigt er sich zunächst mit den Hintergründen des Kriegs gegen den Terror und gegen den Irak und den Lügen, die von der Bush-Administration zur Rechtfertigung vorgebracht werden. Danach versucht er zu klären, warum eine Mehrheit (Unter- und untere Mittelschicht) permanent einer Minderheit die sie unterdrückt die Stimme gibt. Schließlich (und nun wird es rein US-amerikanisch) macht er sich auf die Suche nach dem idealen Gegenkandidaten um eine Wiederwahl der Republikaner zu verhindern. Wie gesagt, sauber recherchiert, witzig geschrieben, nicht klischeehaft und in der Darstellung differenziert, daher: eine klare Empfehlung für dieses Buch.(less)

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Sep 09, 2008

Shinynickel rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in January, 2009

I don't know why I keep reading collections of essays when I almost universally pan them. Maybe it's just that the average length for an essay in a newspaper or a magazine is interesting in that context, but just too shallow when compared to, say, other nonfiction books I'm reading.

And Moore's not exactly deep, anyway, so.

This book came out just before the 2004 elections, and it made me sad to see how focused Moore was on getting people out to vote, making sure people g...more

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Jul 11, 2008

Ty rated it:

(review of isbn 0446532231)

bookshelves: politics-education

Read in July, 2008

If you've read any other Michael Moore, you've read the 1st few chapters already. Some portions are literally ad verbatum to other works.

After seeing the Canadian documentary on him, what esteem I had despite disagreeing on certain points is all but gone. I like to know what he's putting out so I can be prepared when someone who's never questioned his ethics or stances brings them up. It's hard though because a lot of me wants to agree with him, wants to be able to take what he says...more

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Jul 07, 2008

Darcy O'Brien rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in May, 2008

I loved this book, and I would reommend it to anyone who has ever felt frustrated with George W. Bush and his administration. I would especially recommend it to anyone who is a fan of George W. Bush (if there are any left) and conservative republicans. Dude Where's My Country investigates the events leading up to and following the 9/11 attacks, the Bush Family's long time friendship with the Saudi Arabian Royal Family, the environment, and what we as a people can do to take back our country. At...more

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Dec 30, 2007

Arielle rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in January, 2008

The book Dude, Where’s My Country? by Michael Moore, is written in the exact style that the title depicts. It is a very laid back, informally written book. However, underneath all the jokes, sarcasm, and the ridiculous chapter from “G-d”, Moore is providing a lot of insight into the 9/11 case, the ties between Bush and the Bin Laden families, and the corruptness of big corporations. The book also urges and declares that George W. Bush should not be reelected in 2004, leaving me with a hel...more

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Mar 16, 2009

Kelly rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

bookshelves: non-fiction

I enjoyed Dude, Where's My Country?, but I don't think I could have stood to read it if the election hadn't gone the way it did. It may be a little out of date, since it was written before the 2004 election, but the passage of time may have served to prove Moore right, especially about the war in Iraq. My favorite part of the book was when he talked about how ironic it is that Americans are surrendering their civil liberties to stop terrorists.

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Feb 09, 2010

Betsy rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Informative. This perspective makes me question journalists and politicians. There needs to be something that holds them accountable for their action and their talk. Otherwise it is just frustrating. Does not make sense that other professions are held liable for their work and politicians and journalists are seemingly lying left and right. This can make a person very apathetic (after the anger simmers down) and depressed.

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Dec 04, 2008

Brad rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in December, 2008

Found this in a brown paper bag in Brooklyn, along with several videos including Planet of the Apes and Fellini's 8.5... It's mostly old news at this point, much of it surfacing in the movie Farenheit 911, but it's interesting to look back on the incredible drubbing we took from the Bush administration and wonder how (how?!) we let it happen. The book has some answers. Funny too.

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Aug 15, 2009

Jak rated it:

(review of isbn 0141013001)

Read in January, 2005

Being a socialist myself I often agree with Moore’s ideas but recognise that his polemic attitude doesn’t always do itself justice. I also notice that he only presents his side of the argument fully and only the opposition view where he’s able to rubbish it. If he was some what less sensationalistic and conceded here and there that not all right wing thinking is inherently evil it would retain some of it’s gravitas.

One slight aside. The ‘Punch & Judy’ politics of the UK ...more

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May 20, 2009

Monte Dutton rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

Read in May, 2009

Oh, it's a diatribe, but a relatively cogent one. Michael Moore attempts -- and succeeds -- to espouse a liberal agenda in behalf of working-class Americans. For those who became fed up with liberals, Moore suggests it's time to get fed up with conservatives. It's hard to dispute the notion that the Republicans have screwed up the country. Moore is only too happy to be Everyman.

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Jan 06, 2009

Erin rated it:

(review of isbn 0446532231)

Read in March, 2007

Thought it was an interesting read, especially so since it was basically a 'call-to-arms' before the last Bush presidential election to make a change in the White House, and subsequently knowing the outcome of that election. Also, considering the that election and the shift in control from Republican to Democrat, it's really was not tremendously far removed.

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Jan 03, 2009

Manny rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

bookshelves: well-i-think-its-funny

Read in January, 2005

One of the early triumphs of Unified Media Theory was the discovery of the anti-coulter. Predicted in 2001 and experimentally verified the following year, the anti-coulter (often colloquially referred to as the "mooreon") is a heavy particle with positive charm, charge and strangeness and leftward spin. It is unstable, decaying with a half-life of slightly under four years into derivative books and movies. The decay reaction also produces a large number of dollars.

Media phy...more

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6 comments

Jan 28, 2008

Wilde rated it:

(review of isbn 0446693790)

I'm independent. I don't buy the politics that anyone is shoveling - right or left. Being a person that keeps a finger on the pulse of world events and politics, I nevertheless enjoy reading up on what people believe about the world (or would like you to thing they believe). I always appreciate it if the approach is humorous and especially politically incorrect.

I put Michael Moore in the same boat as Anne Coulter (something which would probably horrify both) - as they are both outrag...more

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Feb 16, 2009

Trey added it (review of isbn 0446693790)

bookshelves: non-fiction, political

He gets a lot of flack -- even from the left -- but I'm a fan of Michael Moore. His work, in film or print, is all op-ed style, but I think people took it for more than that. It's just one man's opinion and it's never been anything more than that. I think he's entertaining and, more often than not, right on target.

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